Internet marketing – Start taking your website seriously

Shana McIntosh

One of the biggest myths in business is that you must have a large network if you want to succeed. In fact, you need just 5 or 10 people to begin with.

The reality is that the size of your network is not what’s important. It’s the influence of the people within your network that counts.

IF MY NETWORK has 1000 people BUT they lack influence, it will have a commercial value of close to zero.

IF YOUR NETWORK has just 10 people BUT they are motivated and have real influence, it will have a massive commercial value to you.

Stop wasting your time swapping business cards at networking events. The people attending these events are there to sell to you, not to buy from you and very, very few well-connected people waste their time attending them. None of the influential people I know or have met over my 25 years in marketing, network at these events. The best networkers have discovered out that the way to get connected to the right people, is to deliberately target them.

Here’s a suggestion: Draw up a list of the 30 most influential people in your marketplace. These people could include high quality prospective clients or maybe influential introducers; introducers are people who can recommend you to lots of buyers. Then, put a plan together that will allow you to EARN their attention. This targeted approach takes time, but the rewards are enormous. Don’t believe me? Okay, think how different your business would look, of you had already done this, and you could now pick up the phone and talk to the most influential people in your industry! It’s a game-changer.